Though Alcatraz is closed on Thanksgiving for the holiday, a special Indigenous People’s Sunrise Gathering will be held on the island that day.

People who want to celebrate the day in a unique fashion on Thursday, November 28, 2013 can join the National Park Service and Alcatraz Cruises, the official concessioner to the National Park Service, providing ticketing and transportation services to Alcatraz Island for this early morning event.

This one day event can only be reached from Pier 33 with departures every 15 minutes from 4:45 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. The Indigenous People’s Sunrise Gathering is a commemoration of the 1969-71 occupation of Alcatraz by the “Indians of All Tribes.” All participants in the Indigenous People’s Sunrise Gathering must return to Pier 33 on the last boat, which will depart Alcatraz Island at approximately 8:45 a.m.

Passengers may purchase and print tickets on the Internet at http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/website/sunrise-gathering.aspx. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 415-981-7625 or from the Ticket Booth at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. The ticket booth opens at 4:15 a.m. on Thursday, November 28, 2013. Tickets are $14.00 per person. Children under 5 years of age are free.